Independent UK garage label keeping the spirit of the scene alive since 1995. From Bedfordshire to the world, we release music that blends classic 2-step rhythms with contemporary UK garage sounds.
Exclusive limited press releases dropping soon
Ray Hurley & Jeff Big Drum
Tova Brown
Big Drum Records is an independent UK garage record label founded in 1995 in Bedfordshire. For over 30 years, we've been at the forefront of the UK garage scene, releasing authentic 2-step garage, speed garage, and underground UKG music that captures the essence of the genre's golden era while pushing it forward into the modern age.
From the underground clubs of London, Birmingham, Manchester, and across the UK to today's digital landscape, we've been dedicated to preserving and evolving the UK garage sound. Our roster includes talented producers and DJs who understand the roots of garage music while bringing fresh perspectives to the genre.Meet our featured artists.
We specialise in vinyl releases, digital distribution, andprofessional mastering services for UK garage artists. Whether you're looking for classic 2-step rhythms, deep basslines, or contemporary garage productions, Big Drum Records represents the authentic sound of British underground dance music.Browse our shop for exclusive merchandise and vinyl.
Authentic 2-step garage rhythms with shuffled beats, syncopated basslines, and soulful vocal samples that defined the UK garage movement in the late 90s and early 2000s.Learn about the evolution of UK garage.
Deep, dark, and atmospheric UK garage productions that stay true to the underground club sound. Heavy basslines, crisp percussion, and minimal arrangements for maximum dancefloor impact.
Contemporary UK garage that blends classic elements with modern production techniques. Fresh takes on the genre while respecting its heritage and maintaining the energy that made UKG legendary.Explore our production resources.
10" Lathe Cut Vinyl • Limited Press
10" Lathe Cut Vinyl • Limited Press
UK garage emerged in the mid-1990s from the underground club scene in London and quickly spread across the UK. The genre evolved from American garage house, developing its own distinct British identity characterized by shuffled 2-step rhythms, pitched-up vocals, and heavy sub-bass.
Cities like London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, and Bedfordshire became hotbeds for UK garage production and club culture. Pirate radio stations played a crucial role in spreading the sound, while vinyl record shops and independent labels like Big Drum Records kept the underground spirit alive.Discover the Stevenage UK garage scene.
The late 90s and early 2000s saw UK garage reach mainstream success while maintaining its underground credibility. This golden era produced timeless tracks that continue to influence electronic music today.
The UK garage revival of the 2010s and 2020s has brought the genre back to prominence. A new generation of producers and DJs are rediscovering the classic 2-step sound while adding contemporary production techniques and influences from grime, dubstep, and bass music.
Digital platforms have made UK garage more accessible than ever, but vinyl culture remains strong. Record collectors and DJs still seek out original pressings and new releases on wax, keeping the tactile connection to the music alive.
Big Drum Records continues to bridge the gap between classic UK garage and modern productions, working with both veteran producers who lived through the golden era and young artists bringing fresh energy to the scene. Our commitment to quality, authenticity, and the underground ethos remains as strong as it was in 1995.Learn more about our history.
UK garage (also known as UKG or 2-step garage) is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in the UK in the mid-1990s. It's characterized by shuffled 2-step rhythms, syncopated basslines, pitched-up vocal samples, and tempos around 130 BPM. The genre evolved from American garage house but developed its own distinct British sound that influenced grime, dubstep, and modern bass music. UK garage encompasses various sub-genres including 2-step, speed garage, bassline, and grime.
You can purchase authentic UK garage vinyl records directly from Big Drum Records through our Bandcamp store. We offer both new releases and classic pressings from our extensive catalog. All our vinyl is professionally mastered and pressed to the highest quality standards. We ship worldwide to DJs, collectors, and UK garage fans across the UK, Europe, and internationally. Visit our Latest Releases section to browse our current vinyl offerings.
Big Drum Records offers competitive mastering services with digital mastering starting from £25 per track and vinyl mastering from £35 per track. Our experienced engineers specialise in UK garage, 2-step, and underground dance music, ensuring your tracks have the punch, clarity, and bass weight needed for club systems. We provide quick turnaround times without compromising on quality. Visit our mastering services page for detailed pricing and to request a quote.
2-step garage features syncopated, shuffled drum patterns where the kick and snare don't follow the traditional four-on-the-floor house beat. It typically has a more skippy, broken rhythm with emphasis on the off-beats. Speed garage, on the other hand, maintains a more straightforward 4/4 kick pattern but is characterized by time-stretched vocals, heavy sub-bass, and faster tempos (around 130-140 BPM). Both are sub-genres of UK garage, and many tracks blend elements of both styles. Big Drum Records releases music across the full spectrum of UK garage sounds.
We're always looking for talented UK garage producers to join our roster. To submit your music, send your demos to info@bigdrumrecords.co.uk. Please include high-quality MP3s or WAV files, information about yourself as an artist, and any previous releases or DJ support. We listen to all submissions and respond to tracks that fit our sound. We're particularly interested in authentic 2-step garage, deep UKG, and underground productions that respect the genre's heritage while bringing something fresh to the scene.Check out our production resources for tips on creating professional UK garage tracks.
The UK garage scene is thriving across the country with regular events in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Leeds, and Bedfordshire. London remains the epicenter with clubs like Fabric, Ministry of Sound, and various underground venues hosting UKG nights. Birmingham and Manchester have strong garage scenes with dedicated promoters running monthly events. Follow Big Drum Records on Instagram to stay updated on events featuring our artists and the latest UK garage parties across the UK.
To produce UK garage, you'll need a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) like Ableton Live, FL Studio, or Logic Pro, a good pair of studio monitors or headphones, and some quality drum samples and synth plugins. Classic UK garage was made with hardware like the Akai MPC, Roland TR-909, and various samplers, but modern producers can achieve authentic sounds entirely in the box. Focus on getting tight, shuffled drum programming, deep sub-bass, and creative use of vocal samples. Many Big Drum Records artists use a combination of hardware and software to achieve their signature sound.
Yes! UK garage has experienced a massive revival over the past few years and continues to grow in 2025. A new generation of producers and DJs are rediscovering the classic 2-step sound, while veteran artists are releasing new material. The genre is influencing mainstream pop, appearing in charts, and filling clubs across the UK and internationally. Streaming platforms have made classic UKG more accessible, introducing the sound to younger audiences. Big Drum Records is at the forefront of this revival, bridging the gap between the golden era and modern productions while maintaining the underground spirit that made UK garage special.
"Big Drum Records has been instrumental in my career. Their mastering services are top-notch, and they truly understand the UK garage sound. Working with them feels like being part of a family that's dedicated to keeping the underground spirit alive."
"As someone who's been in the scene since the golden era, I can say Big Drum Records maintains the authentic UK garage sound. Their vinyl pressings are exceptional quality, and they're one of the few labels that still gets what made this music special in the first place."
"The team at Big Drum Records really cares about the music and the artists. Their quick turnaround on mastering and their competitive prices make them the go-to label for serious UK garage producers. Plus, their distribution network gets your music heard by the right people."
